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What is the difference between 面包 and 列巴? Dictionaries suggest both mean bread, but Google search seems to indicate that 面包 is any kind of baked flour (buns, bread, baguettes, croissants etc.), while 列巴 just means a regular (in the European sense) bread. Is that correct?
I am aware of this thread: How do I say "a loaf of bread"? but it doesn't fully answer my question.
In short 面包refers to bread(general) and 列巴refers to specifically Russian bread.
The ticked answer is correct.
However, it is one of those generalised terms subject to local custom. The actual word of 面包 is actually 麵包. 麵 means something made out of wheat. In general speaking , you may say 列巴 is a kind of 面包.
Historically, only northern China will generalised 列巴 as bread. Southern Chinese and all other Chinese literature have no idea about the Russia bread 列巴 (which the main ingredient is RYE, not wheat)
It is similar to US people in the past generalised facial tissues as Kleenex, photocopy as Xerox. But outside US, unless exposed to US custom and product, you can't use the generalised terms.
Unless you make a conversation with a person that stay in Northern China many years ago, otherwise, use 面包/ 麵包for bread/loaf.
